Capping machine



April 5, 193s. E. E. HOGG 2,112,842

CAPPING MACHINE Filed sept. 12, 1935 4 sneei-.s-sneety 1 INVENTOR I. A l

. EM ,eso/v ,//099' I y ATTO April 5, 1938.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arr l April 5,l 1938.

E. E. HGG 2,112,842 CAPPING MACHINE Filed sebi. 12, 1935 4 sheets-sheet3 INVENTOR Aprjil 5, 1938. E. E. HOGG 2,112,842

CAPPING MACHINE Filed Sepi'f.` 12, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR7W-@50N f.' Ho

`, Ano E Patented Apr. A5, 1938 UNITED STATESY OFFICE CAPPING MACHINEEmerson E. Hogg, New Kensington, Pa., assignor to Aluminum Company ofAmerica, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania This inventionrelates to a capping machine for receptacles, and particularly to acapping machine for applying closures secured to receptacles by adepending flange or skirt of deformable material.

It is an object of my invention to provide an eilicient hand-cappingmachine that is simple in construction, yet which can be used as adriven capping head with the same advantages of simplicity that attendits use as a hand-capping machine. Many hand-capping machines have beendeveloped, but it is characteristic of them that they include some formof pedestal which, of course, means that a receptacle must be presentedto the machine for sealing. It is an object of my invention to provide acapping machine that eliminates the pedestal and thereby to give theunit a greater range of usefulness and to reduce the amount of handlingof the receptacles otherwise required. Capping of receptacles positionedin crates is illustrative of this usefulness. It is a further object ofthis invention to accomplish these purposes by supporting the entireunit upon a central element. My invention also contemplates theprovision ofa device that will x a closure by working the closure skirtprogressively downwardly and inwardly While the closure is held firmlyseated. upon the receptacle.

Various additional objects and advantages of the invention will be inpart obvious and in part discussed with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of my capping machine withthe parts shown inthe position which they, occupy preparatory to theaxation of the closure;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the machine with theparts shown in the position which they occupy at the completion of thecapping operation;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectional view of a second embodiment ofthe machine with the parts shown in the position which they occupypreparatory to the aixation of the closure;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View of the machine taken on line IV-IV ofFig. 2';

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken Aon the line V-V of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the pressure sealing head;

Fig. 'l is a cross-sectional View of this head taken on the line VII-VIIof Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a handle suitable for the portable machine.

' surface.

In the following description, like reference numerals designate likeparts throughout the several figures. Referring now to the embodimentshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spindle I forms the central element aboutwhich the machine is as- 5 sembled. A flange, generally designated bythe reference numeral 2, is attached to the lower end of the spindle inany fashion that will provide a. strong joint, as by the shrink-ttedcollar that is shown. 'Ihe flange 2 has a horizontal web 10' 3, and aperipheral ange 4 disposed perpendicularly to the web 3 which formstherewith an annular recess that provides a seat and retaining means forthe resilient sealing head 5 that is seated therein under compression.This attach- 15 ment of the sealing head 5 to the spindle is optional,however, since the head may be retained in assembled relationship by thefingers to be described below.

The top surface of the web 3 servesas a sup- 2o port and bearing surfacefor projections of a plurality of pressure ngers that will hereinafterbe called fingers, and which are designated generally by the referencenumeral 6. These fingers extend in axial planes of the spindle I, anden- 25 close its lower portion and the sealing head 5. Each finger is anunbalanced lever having a projection l. As is shown to particularadvantage in Fig. 4, the end of each projection is rounded, so that afree point of oscillation is established. 30 The projections bearagainst the web and collar y of the flange 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,so that the flange serves as both a support and bearing On the outerside of each finger opposite the projection, there is an arcuate recess35 8 that receives a narrow, radially unyielding ring 9 that serves as anger retaining ring. The lower ends of the fingers on the inner surfacehave a second recess I0 that receives a portion of the sealing head 5and tends to direct the applica- 40 tion of pressure by the head to aclosure. This same recess may, of course, be used to retain the sealinghead if a recessed bottom is not provided upon the spindle ange. Betweenthe recess 8 and the upper ends of the fingers there is on the 45 outersurface thereof a third recess II that accommodates a small spiralspring I2 which serves to restore the fingers to a non-operativeposition. Within the, space enclosed by the fingers 6, spindle I carriesan annular plate I3 that rests 50 upon vthe ends of the projections l.This plate in turn supports one end of a spiral spring I4 that surroundspart of the spindle. The vend. of the spring supports a spreader blockdesignated generally by the numeral I5. The block has an 55 axiallystepped bore I6 through which the spindle' projects and into which thespring I4 extends as far as the shoulder I'I. 'Ihe upper end of thespindle projecting beyond the spreader block I carries any suitablemeans for maintaining the assembly of the unit and adjusting the strokeof the block, such as the nuts Il turned upon the screw-threaded end 9of the spindle. As shown in Fig. 1, part ofthe spreader block at alltimes extends into the cavity dened by the fingers 6, so that the upperends of these fingers bear upon an inclined face or surface of theblock. It may be desirable to create graduated sealing pressures atvarious stages of the sealing operation, and for this reason, the blockI5 is provided with surface areas of various inclinations. As is shownin Figs. 1, 2 and 3, this can be easily accomplished by making thespreader block a composite structure of several truncated cones. Ahandle 29, shown to better advantage in Fig. 8, is attached to the blockI5 by any suitable means. It is also desirable to provide in thespindle, as is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a vent 2| to permit the escapeof air from the sealing head 5 during the capping operation. i

Referring n ow to Fig. 3, a second embodiment of the capping machine isshown, wherein several changes and omission of parts with respect to theembodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 have been made. 'I'he generalorganization, however, remains the same. As will be noted, the fingers 6of this form have the same general shape as those shown in the firstdescribed form, but a change has been introduced in the projection `I.The cylindrical bearing ysurface as shown in Fig. 4 has been modified tothe extent of the provision of a concave bearing surface against thecollar of the flange 2. This change of shape is clearly shown in Fig. 5.It is apparent that aline contact will now be made between theprojection and the collar at any given operative position of the fingerswith the attendant advantage of retarding the growth of undesirable playof the fingers between the collar and the retaining ling 9. As is alsoshown in Fig. 3, the spring Il of the earlier gures that loads the headI5 and the plate I3 that supports the spring have been omitted. Withclosures ofv relatively thick stock, it has been found that it isdesirable to remove the spring, which removal, of course, increases thepressure transmitted as sealing pressure through the sealing head. Ithas also been found that the spring I2 and the resiliency of the sealing head 5 will return the fingers to non-operative position upon thereturn of the spreader block l5 to non-operative position. The spring I4is not required to return the block, since this normally attends thelifting of the machine from the sealed receptacle.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the pressure head 5 is shown in detail. Thisvheadshould be constructed of resilient material, and it has been found thatvulcanized rubber is the most suitable. The head has a closure-receivingrecess 22 that is defined by a side wall 23 that has an outwardly anddownwardly inclined inner surface. 'I'he recess may also include.an.annular depression 2l, as indicated, to conform with and receive abead adjacent to the receptacle mouth. The outer surface of the sidewall has a bulbous conformation 25 that is divided by radial slits 26into the same number of segments as there are fingers 6.

A center passage 21 that coincides in assembly with the vent 2| of thespindle should also be provided vto permit the escape of air that wouldotherwise be trapped in the head during the sealing operation.

Fig. 8 merely illustrates a convenient form of handle for attachment tothe spreader block I5 when the device is used as a portable cappingmachine.

It is apparent that the machine in either form is easily assembled anddisassembled. With reference to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thesealing head 5 should first be placed within the recess of thespindleflange. The fingers 6 are then assembled within the ring 9 andthe spindle I carrying the sealing head, is slid between the projectionsI of the fingers until they rest upon the flange web 3. The supportingplate I3 is then slipped over the spindle and allowed to reach itsposition upon the top surface of the projections 'I. 'I'he spring I2 cannow be placed in position in the recess II, and the spring Il shouldnext be placed around the spindle I.. The spreader block l5 with thehandle 20 attached is then mounted upon the spindle and the retainingnuts I9 are turned down to complete the assemblyl of the machine. Toassemble the form shown in Fig. 3, the steps are the same except for theomission of the supporting plate I3 and the spring I4. i

The sealing operation of the machine is as simple and eiicient as theconstruction and assembly just described. .The capping machine is placedupon a receptacle such as the milk bottle 39 shown in Figs. 1 and 2,which receptacle has been supplied with a closure having a depending/skirt of deformable material such as has been indicated by thereference numeral 3| in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. After the machine has been setupon the bottle closure so that the closure and bottle neck occupy therecess 22 of the sealing head as is illustrated in Fig. 1, the spreaderblock is forced downwardly relative to the spindle by the application ofsuitable pressure. This transmits pressure to both' the top andsidewalls of the sealing head 5. By reason of the fingers beingsupported upon the spindle flange, the head, also carried thereby, andin particular the top of the head. is forced against the closure withpressure increasing directly with the pressure applied. At the sametime, the block forces the upper ends of the iingers outwardly, so thatthey rock about the projections 'I carrying 'inwardly the lower ends ofthe fingers against the bulbous segmental por- .tions of the sealinghead 5 which transmit radial sealing pressure to the skirt of theclosure. It is` apparent that the skirt of the closure 3| willnecessarily be forcedr into intimate contact with the surface of thereceptaclefand around any form of detents carried thereby. Since therecess of the sealing head has an outwardly sloping wall, thecontraction necessary to force the closure skirt inwardly will be lessnear the top of the receptacle mouth than is needed near the bottomthereof, so that the actuation of the fingers will cause a progressivedownward working of the skirt into contact with the receptacle surfacein a fashion that simulates a downward rolling action. As hithertodescribed, the fingers are held in assembly `by the retaining ring 9,and, upon actuation of the fingers, the ring will tend Ato move slightlydownwardly relative to the spindle. 'I'his adjustment of the ringpermits the fingers to turn freely upon the supporting flange of thespindle. It may well be that at the end of this downward movement of thering, the fulcrum of each finger shifts from the projection 'I to thering itself. In any event, it is apparent that projections of thefingers are not positively secured to the supporting flange of thespindle, but are free to move to some degree in a vertical plane uponactuation. When the spring I4 `is used in the assembly, as appears inFigs. 1 and 2, the floating relationship of the fingers upon the spindleflange is slightly altered, in that the force tending to shift theprojections upwardly must be sullicient to overcome the force appliedthrough the spreader block to the spring. It is apparent,

however, that the floating support of the projec tions upon the spindleflange and the retaining ring carried by the fingers themselves, alongwith the resiliency of the sealing head, permits automatic adjustment toany irregularities found in the bottle finish. The machine is thereforewell adapted to apply closures to bottle finishes of the type shown inUnited States Patents 1,796,728 and 1,796,729, which include projectingdetents.

While the invention has been described with reference to severalembodiments, it is clear that numerous additional modifications arepossible that utilize the substance of my invention. With theintention,therefore, of including all modifications coming within the true scopeof the invention, I claim:

1. A machine for applying skirt-retained closures comprising a centralspindle having a lateral flange at its lower end, a resilient sealinghead carried immediately beneath the flange, a plurality of pressurefingers adapted to contract the head and positioned circumferentiallyabout both the spindle and head, said pressure lingers having inwardlydirectedl projections freely supported upon the spindle flange, meanscarried by the fingers exteriorly thereof adapted to retain the lingersupon the spindle flange, reciprocable means co-axial with the spindleadapted to actuate the pressure fingers, and means associated with thespindle to maintain the assembled relationship.

2. A machine for applying skirt-retained closures comprising a ycentralspindle having a lat` eral bottom flange, a resilient sealing headlocated immediately beneath the ange, a plurality of pressure ngershaving inwardly directed projections freely supported upon the spindleange circumferentially of both spindle and head, means carried by thefingers exteriorly thereof adapted to retain the fingers upon thespindle flange, reciprocable means co-axial with the spindle adapted toactuate the pressure fingers, means encircling the spindle adapted toreturn the actuating means to a non-operative position, and meansassociated with the spindle to maintain the assembled relationship.

3. A machine for applying skirt-retained closures comprising a verticalcentral spindle havinga lateral bottom flange, a resilient sealing headsecured to the under surface of the ange a plurality of pressure fingerspositioned circumferentially of both spindle and head, said pressurefingers having inwardly directedv projections freely spreader blockreciprocably mounted upon the spindle in contact with the upper ends ofthe pressure lingers, a retaining ring carried exteriorly by thepressure flngers'in substantially the horizontal plane of the fingerprojections, and means associated with the spindle to maintain theassembled relationship.

4. A machine for applying skirt-retainedclosures comprising a verticalcentral spindle having a lateral bottom flange, a resilient sealing headsecured to the under surface of the flange, a plusupported upon thespindle flange, a

rality of pressure fingers positioned circumferentially of both spindleand head, said pressure lingers having inwardly directed projectionsfreely supported upon the spindle flange, a retaining ring carriedexteriorly by the pressure ngers in substantially the horizontal planeof the finger projections, a spreader block reciprocably mounted uponthe spindle in contact with the upper ends of the lingers, a loadingspring carried by the spindle between the spreader block and the fingerprojections, and means asociated with the upper end of the spindleadapted to maintain the assembly and regulate the travel of the spreaderblock.

5. A. spindle supported capping mechanism comprising a central verticalspindle having a recessed lateral flange at the lower end, a resilientrecessed sealing head held within the flange recess, a plurality ofvertical pressure fingers having inwardly directed projections freelysupported upon the spindle flange with the lower ends thereof in contactwith the sealing head, a retaining ring carried exteriorly by thepressure fingers, a spreader block reciprocably mounted upon the spindlein 'contact with the upper ends of the lingers, a block loading springcarried by the spindle between the spreader block and the fingerprojections, a spring carried by the upper ends of the pressure fingersadapted to return the fingers to a non-operative position, and securingmeans associated with the upper end of the spindie to maintain theassembled relationship.

6. In a machine for applyingY skirt-retained closures to receptacles, acentral spindle, a skirted resilient sealing head carried by thespindle, pressure means movable axially of both spindle and head, andoscillatable means supported by the spindle in contact with the pressuremeans whereby relative movement between the pressure means and thespindle induces the transmission of pressure by the oscillatable meansto the sealing head both verticallyA and radially thereof.

7. In a machine for applying skirt retained closures to receptacles, acentral spindle having a bottom ange, a skirted resilient sealing headcarried by the spindle beneath the flange, pressure means associatedwith the spindle movable axially of both spindle and head, andoscillatable means supported by the spindle flange in contact with thepressure means whereby relative movement between the pressure means andspindle induces the transmission of pressure by the oscillatable meansto the sealing head vertically through the spindle flange and radiallyby contact with the sealing head.

8 In a capping mechanism, a central spindle having a lateral flange, aplurality of pressure fingers having inwardly directed projectionssupportedupon the flange, reciprocable means co-axial with the spindleand contacting the lingers for actuation thereof, and unyieldingcircumferential lingerretaining means carried exteriorly by the fingers9. In a capping mechanism, a central spindle having a lateral flange, aplurality of fingers having inwardly directed projections supported uponthe flange, a reciprocable spreader block carried by the spindle incontact with the fingers for actuation thereof, and a narrow unyieldingring carried exteriorly by the fingers in substantially the horizontalplane of the finger projections, said ring maintaining the fingers incircumfervus free oscillation upon the movement o! the spreader block.

10. In a capping mechanism, a central spindle having a lateral flange, aplurality of pressure ngers having inwardly directed projectionssupported upon the flange, resilient sealing means located beneath thespindle, finger-actuating means coaxial with the spindle, andcircumferential ilnger-retaining means carried exteriorly by thefingers, said iinger-retaining means permitting actuation of the fingersto compress said sealing means.

1l. In a capping mechanism, a central spindle having a lateral flange, aplurality of ilngers having inwardly directed projections supported uponthe flange, a resilient sealing means located beneath the spindle, aspreader block coaxial with the spindle for actuation oi' the ngers, andj a narrow ring carried exteriorly by the lingers, said ring maintainingthe fingers in circumferential relationship to thel spindle andpermitting actuation of the ngers to compress said sealing means.

' 12. In a capping mechanism, a central spindle having a lateral bottomflange, a plurality of pressure ilngers having inwardly directedprojections freely supported upon the spindle ange, a resilient sealinghead located beneath the ilange and in contact with said lingers, meanscarried by the fingers exteriorly thereof `to retain the fingers uponthe spindle ilange, means coaxial with the spindle adapted to actuatethe ngers, means associated with the fingers toreturn the same to normalposition after actuation, and means associated with the spindle tomaintain the assembled relationship.

13. In a capping mechanism, a central spindle having a lateral bottomilange, a resilient sealing head located immediately beneath the flange,a plurality of pressure iingers having inwardly directed projectionsfreely supported upon the spindle flange, a narrow ring carriedexteriorly by the fingers to maintain the ilngers upon the Y spindleilange, a spreader block coaxial with the' spindle to actuate thepressure ngers, a spring ,carried exteriorly by the ilngers to returnthe same to normal position after actuation, and

means associated with the spindle to maintain the assembledrelationship.

14. In a capping mechanism, a central spindle, oscillatable meanssupported by the spindle, resilient sealing means carried beneath thespindle, means coaxial with said spindle and contacting saidoscillatable means, whereby relative movement between said spindle andsaid means coaxial therewith actuates said oscillatable meansandtransmlts pressurey therethrough to said sealing means bothvertically and radially thereof.,

and said means coaxial therewith actuates said oscillatable means andtransmits pressure therethrough to said sealing head both vertically andradially thereof.

N 'E. nooo. as

